Globalization

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MxVDev is Micromax's answer to software project management in a global environment. The system essentially removes bottlenecks in software project communication by moving the focus in requirements from verbal expressions to software tests.

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Filed under: Automotive | Canton, MI | Enterprise Software | Finding Gaps | Globalization | MicroMax | Rachel McCormack | Software

MicroMax developed MxVDev as a response to the demands of software project management in a global economy.  MxVDev is MicroMax's product for testing embedded software systems.  As mentioned in an earlier segment, embedded software systems are those where software enhances an already existing function. For instance, embedded software is what enables anti-lock braking systems.

Given the importance of embedded systems like anti-lock braking, testing is critical. MxVDev attacks testing differently in a few ways:

• It eliminates communication overhead by expressing the requirements into software tests that are either passed or not. Both parties agree that the requirements are met when the tests are passed.
• It emulates the embedded system itself in software eliminating the need to ship expensive equipment around the world for testing.
• It allows multiple tests to occur at once, thereby accelerating the testing process.

Rich sees some significant shifts for Root Learning including extending its geographic reach and expanding the view of the company's capabilities footprint.

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Filed under: Education | Finding Gaps | Globalization | Rich Berens | Root Learning | Toledo, OH | Twelve Month Goals

Rich Berens' 12 month goals for Root Learning are to continue to provide "blended" solutions to help its clients execute their strategies (download 5 and one half minute iPod compatible video, 28MB). Extending beyond 12 months, Rich sees some significant shifts for the company. First, he wants to increase the Root Learning's geographic reach. Currently, the firm has offices in Toledo, Chicago, and London. He would like to go to the coasts where many of Root Learning's clients are and expand the European presence.

Rich also notes that Root Learning's product footprint has evolved, and that he would like to highlight that evolution. Root used to be just about "learning maps", the company's best known tool that was featured in a Harvard Business Review article. Now, a large part of the business is based on developing digital interactive environments. Rich expects that the company's blog, increased conference attendance, and a book by Jim Haudan, one of Root Learning's founders, to help provide an expanded view of the company's capabilities footprint.

At this point, Issue Media Group has opened seven markets in the past 2 years, and is looking to open another 6–10 in the next year.

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Filed under: Defining New Markets | Detroit, MI | Globalization | Issue Media Group | Paul Schutt | Publishing | Twelve Month Goals

Recently, a friend on the West Coast indicated to Paul Schutt that he thought Issue Media Group was in the business of creating alternative narratives for the locations where it published. In this Final segment (download 6 minute iPod compatible video, 30MB), Paul considers the sorts of locations Issue Media Group might choose to narrate and considers how to manage growth over the next year.

At this point, Issue Media Group has opened seven markets in the past 2 years, and is looking to open another 6–10 in the next year. He feels they have figured out the product. The question is how to meet the demands of growth, including:

• Different regulatory environments in the multiple locations where it is expanding.
• Different economic environments. To date, Issue Media Group has focused on areas that are doing less well economically.
• The need to maintain quality and keep down overheads in an increasingly distributed operating environment.

When the Ann Arbor Film Festival started, it was a "film" festival, accepting submissions on 16mm and other purely film formats. Now, a substantial portion of its submissions are digital, and it has developed a presence on Youtube.

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Filed under: Ann Arbor Film Festival | Ann Arbor, MI | Defining New Markets | Donald Harrison | Globalization | Media | Technology and Culture

In its 46th year, the Ann Arbor Film Festival is one of the longest running in North America. Each March, the festival presents a highly selective sample of the 2000 cutting edge film submissions it receives from 30 countries. As a non-profit, the festival funds its operations from donations, submission fees, ticket sales, and merchandise.

In this 9 minute segment (download iPod compatible video, 46MB), Donald Harrison, Director of Community Development, outlines how the Ann Arbor Film Festival is adapting in the changing world of media. When the festival started, it was a "film" festival, accepting submissions on 16mm and other formats. Now, a substantial portion of its submissions are digital, and it has developed a presence on Youtube.

Donald views the festival's online and offline activities as both separate and reinforcing each other. As an example of the separation, Youtube videos start to lose viewership at lengths of more than a minute while festival attendees expect programs of 70 minutes or more. However, many of the festival's producers and attendees regularly use Youtube. The festival's enduring value proposition is this changing media landscape is to allow producers, attendees, and industry people to come together in a forum devoted to innovative and pioneering film making.

In future segments, we'll explore how the festival's business model is evolving and how it competes with the over 2000 annual film festivals in North America alone.